Egg peeler device

ABSTRACT

An Egg Peeler Device is disclosed that has an end that facilitates ease of cracking of an egg such as a hard boiled egg through a novel blade arrangement, and an end that facilitates ease of removal of the cracked egg shell through an eggshell peeler arrangement. A handle is provided between each end for ease of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to food preparation utensils, and more specifically to an egg peeler device.

2. Description of Related Art

Hard boiled eggs require removal of their hard shell prior to consumption or additional preparation. While at times this may be a simple task, often the shell does not remove easily, creating a situation where a multitude of shell fragments are simultaneously stuck on the egg and scattered about. While not being bound to any particular theory, it has been said that fresh eggs represent more of a challenge to peel than older eggs due to an ever expanding air space in the egg between the shell and the white. Of course most consumers wish to purchase the freshest eggs possible irregardless of the peeling challenges that may lie ahead. Traditional egg peeling techniques involve striking the hard boiled egg on a hard surface or striking it with a spoon, and then removing the shell by hand—the resulting operation being either a satisfying or a less than satisfying experience depending on the tenacity of the shell to stick to the edible portion of the egg.

What is therefore needed is an egg peeling device that neatly and efficiently assists in the cracking and peeling of a hardboiled egg.

The present invention has solved these heretofore unmet needs, and will be described in detail herein and depicted by way of the attached drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an egg peeler device that comprises a peeler portion having a concave surface that conforms to an egg; a cracker portion having a concave surface with a cracker blade longitudinally disposed within the concave surface; an impact end contiguous with the cracker portion; and a handle between the peeler portion and the cracker portion.

The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the egg peeler of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1;

-   -   to FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1, both sides being substantially the same;

FIG. 6 is an end plan view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an alternate end plan view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1 in use with a hard boiled egg;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1 further in use with a hard boiled egg; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the egg peeler of FIG. 1 with an optional removable cover.

The attached figures depict various views of the Egg Peeler Device in sufficient detail to allow one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. These figures are exemplary, and depict a preferred embodiment; however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment depicted herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification and drawings attached herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An Egg Peeler Device is described and depicted by way of this specification and the attached drawings. For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the Egg Peeler Device that shows the general overall appearance and features of the device. The Egg Peeler Device 100 has a peeler portion 101 that has a concave surface that generally conforms to an egg along the eggs longitudinal axis. The peeler portion 101 is thin, and in some embodiments is thinner at the edges than toward the center, creating a taper that allows for easy removal of an eggshell from an egg. The peeler portion as such is sharp for its intended purpose, but with a proper choice of materials, such as the various plastics described and suggested herein, represents little risk of harm to the user. Looking now at the opposing end of the Egg Peeler Device 100, a cracker portion 105 can be seen which also has a concave surface. The concave surface of the cracker portion has a surface that generally conforms to the surface of an egg perpendicular to the eggs longitudinal axis. The concave surface of the cracker portion has a cracker blade 107 longitudinally disposed within the concave surface for the purpose of cracking the shell of an egg. The cracker blade 107, as can be more clearly seen in subsequent figures such as FIG. 5, has a concave profile such that it conforms with the transverse surface of an egg, thus providing a generally even depth of penetration when the cracker blade 107 strikes the shell of an egg. This prevents damage and unnecessary penetration of the cracker blade 107 into the interior edible portion of the egg. The cracker blade 107 may also be tapered such that the leading edge of the cracker blade 107 (the edge that strikes the eggshell) is thinner than the portion of the cracker blade 107 that attaches to the concave surface of the cracker portion 105. The cracker portion 105 may be weighted or contain more material than the peeler portion to provide additional weight when using the cracker portion 105 to break the shell of an egg. The cracker portion 105 may further comprise an impact end 109 that may simply be additional material or weight, or may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be an end of the cracker portion 105 that comprises a surface that has a flattened or otherwise wider profile than the remainder of the cracker portion 105, facilitating ease of use of the cracker portion 105 in breaking the shell of an egg. The impact end 109 is contiguous with the cracker portion 105 and may be connected with or otherwise formed with the cracker blade 107, or a portion thereof. Between the peeler portion 101 and the cracker portion 105 is a handle 103. The handle 103 may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be cylindrical, and may also vary in diameter. For example, the diameter of the handle 103 may increase as it nears the peeler portion 101 and the cracker portion 105. In some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the handle section is larger near the cracker portion than it is near the peeler portion 101. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the handle 103 may contain a metal rod or other stiffening and strengthening element.

The Egg Peeler Device 100 may be made from a material such as a rigid material, for example a plastic or a metal. Examples of suitable plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials that may be suitably formed may also be used. Preferably the choice of material takes into consideration contact with food, and thus the need for food grade materials in the production of the Egg Peeler Device of the present invention. The Egg Peeler Device may be made by injection molding, blow molding, machining, or the like.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a bottom perspective view of the Egg Peeler Device 100 can be seen. The tapered handle and curvature of both the peeler portion 101 and the cracker portion 105 are visible.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the Egg Peeler Device 100 showing the position of the cracker blade 107 within the cracker portion 105.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the Egg Peeler Device 100.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the Egg Peeler Device 100, both sides being substantially the same. The curvature of the peeler portion 101 and the cracker portion 105 can be seen as they relate to the previously stated orientation of an egg.

FIG. 6 is an end plan view of the Egg Peeler Device 100 showing the impact end 109 and the cracker blade 107 protruding above.

FIG. 7 is an alternate end plan view of the Egg Peeler Device 100 showing the end of the peeler portion 101.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the Egg Peeler Device 100 in use with a hard boiled egg. The cracker portion 105 is used to strike the egg, breaking the shell with the cracker blade 107. The geometries of the cracker portion are such that the cracker blade 107 does not enter too far into the egg, preserving the integrity of the edible portion of the egg. Once the eggshell is cracked using the cracker portion 105 of the Egg Peeler Device, the peeler portion 101 is employed to remove the cracked shell.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the Egg Peeler Device 100 further in use with a hard boiled egg. The peeler portion 101 (hidden by the egg in FIG. 9) is placed under the cracked eggshell to facilitate removal of the shell from the edible portion of the egg.

In some embodiments of the present invention, to facilitate storage or to ensure a comfortable grip while peeling an egg with the Egg Peeler Device 100, an optional removable cover 1001 that snaps over the cracker portion 105 as shown in FIG. 10, or to alternatively snaps over the peeler portion 101, can be seen. The optional removable cover 1001 may be made from a material such as a rigid material, for example a plastic or a metal. Examples of suitable plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials that may be suitably formed may also be used. Preferably the choice of material takes into consideration contact with food, and thus the need for food grade materials in production. The removable cover 1001 may be made by injection molding, blow molding, machining, or the like.

It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, an Egg Peeler Device. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification and the attached drawings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An Egg Peeler Device comprising: a peeler portion having a concave surface that conforms to an egg; a cracker portion having a concave surface with a cracker blade longitudinally disposed within the concave surface; an impact end contiguous with the cracker portion; and a handle between the peeler portion and the cracker portion. 